What company registration documents do you need?

Starting a limited company can be exciting! But it does come with paperwork, which is… eh, not quite as enthralling. 

Getting your documents in order might seem a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry – we’re here to make the process as simple as possible. 

In this guide, we’ll give you a breakdown of the company registration documents you need to get started. Plus, we’ve got a few handy tips to help your application process run smoothly.

Before you register

Before you begin, there are a few things you need to think about:

1. Your company name. This should be unique and comply with Companies House regulations. If you’re unsure, you can use the company name checker when starting your application process.
   
2. Deciding on the type of limited company. You’ll need to decide if you’re going to be ‘limited by shares’ or ‘limited by guarantee’. Guarantee is typically used for charities and clubs, while shares is for owners who want to take profits.

Here are the company registration documents you’ll need

Now that you’re ready to set up your limited company (whoop!), let’s break down the key documents you’ll need to get started.

1. Personal information

You’ll need at least 3 pieces of information from the following list to register online. If you have additional shareholders or guarantors, they’ll need to provide the same information.

2. Form IN01

This is the form used to register your company. You can fill out a paper form or apply easily online.

You’ll need:

• Company name and registered office address
• Details of directors and the company secretary
• Information about shareholders and share capital
• A statement of compliance with the Companies Act (you don’t need to provide this, you’ll just be asked to accept it) 

3. Memorandum of association

Think of the memorandum of association as your company’s ‘birth certificate’. 

Definition: A legal statement signed by all initial shareholders (or guarantors) agreeing to form the company.

Companies House will automatically create this for you once you’ve registered online and filled out a few details. If you register by post, you’ll need to use the memorandum of association template.

4. Articles of association

These are the rules governing how your company will be run. They cover things like the powers of directors, how decisions are made, and shareholders’ rights. 

You can use model articles provided by the government or draft your own if you need something more specific.

5. Shareholder agreement

Although not a requirement, a shareholder agreement is something you might want to consider if you’re not the only shareholder.

It outlines the relationship between shareholders and the company, including share distribution, roles, responsibilities, and dispute resolution. This can help to prevent conflicts down the line, eek!

Are there any other documents or information I might need?

Keep the following information handy, just in case you need it:

1. Registered office address: This address must be your physical address. If you work from home, you can register your home address or get a company address.
   
2. Details of directors and secretary: You’ll need to provide the personal details of all directors and the company secretary if you have one. This includes full names, residential addresses, and dates of birth.
   
3. Statement of capital: This details the company’s share structure, including the number of shares issued, their value, and the rights attached to each share. If you’re registering online, the online application will include this.
   
4. Identify people with significant control (PSC): This confirms who has control over your company. Typically, this includes people who own more than 25% of the shares or voting rights. You’ll need the name, date of birth and nationality of each PSC. 

How to register as a limited company

Now that you’ve got all your company registration documents, it’s time to register your company. You can do this online or by submitting a postal application.

Registering online is the easiest, quickest and most cost-effective way to register as a limited company. 

How much does it cost to register my company, and how long does it take?

The cost to register online is £50. Pay by card or PayPal. Your company is normally registered within 24 hours. 

If you’re registering by post, the cost is £71 and you’ll need to pay by cheque. This can take up to 10 days.

Filing your limited company corporate tax return

Finally, once you’re registered, you’ll need to start thinking about your corporate tax return. 

Your accounting period will now run from the date you registered your company, rather than the standard tax year (6 April to 5 April the following year).